Showing posts with label books writings o' mine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books writings o' mine. Show all posts

Saturday, December 1, 2012

The End of Nanowrimo 2012

It's ended, and I won again this year! Hooray for me.  4th year of Nano, 2nd time winning. I really liked this year, it was very challenging because I didn't do my normal fantasy story, but in an awesome way.   I've learned that it's not easy to write Historical Fiction when you don't plan.  As an avowed panster the thought of planning makes me shudder, but a little voice has been telling me I should try next year. As you all know I did a historical fiction story about a movie director in the 1930's -1940's.    Last year I came out of Nano disliking my characters and so shut them up in my files of unfinished novels and haven't really looked at it since.  This year I still love my characters, and my story  but I'm ready to put them to rest and let them simmer for a few months.  
This year I somewhat finished!  I saw somewhat because I followed  the story line along till almost 30k (at this moment I can't remember the exact wordcount) and then I came to a wall that I couldn't break.  So I jumped over it, skipped it and wrote the finishing 10,000 words and then had to fit in  10,000 more words.  *sigh* It was hard.  But as you can see I did indeed win.  All's well that ends well.
Currently I'm just resting from writing and looking at some of my unfinished stories. I can't wait to get to work on something else.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Tommy Philips

Time to introduce you to another character from my nano novel The PianoMan.  Meet Tommy Philips.  He's easy going, fun to be with, always making jokes, and all around good guy.  He's done some acting before, but mostly he just hangs around with Stephan and helps his friend write scripts.
Then Jamie comes, and he sees that she can use some extra help.   He becomes someone whom Jamie can talk to, someone whom she feels she can be normal around.
At first I didn't really like him as much as Stephan and Jamie, but in the last few days he's really been a help to me.  I'm getting in a lot of scenes with him and Jamie, and then him and Stephan. He's a perfect middle man.  Which is unfortunate since he's in love with Jamie. I feel sorry for him, but it can't be helped.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Snippets of Nano

Hey peoples!  Yes nano has made me disappear for awhile, sorry about that.  But here I am, here to tell you that my writing is going...okay.  I won't say great because I've been stuck a lot.  I knew Historical Fiction was going to be harder, because when you're stuck in Fantasy all you have to do to get ''un-stuck'' is through in monsters, or ninjas or something like that. :)   So it's been going okay, I'm to 13k and I should be at 15k.  At least its only day 9. ;)   And  I love my characters, Jamie is amazing and I need to do more scenes with her acting.  Stephan is...well he's a bit of a jerk but that's only because he can only think about himself and his movies.  Tommy is a darling, his heart is going to be broken, I'm sorry Tommy.

Before I leave again here is a snippet of chapter 1.

Chapter 1


He sat morosely playing the piano, his black suit spotless and without wrinkle, his beautifully sculptured hands moving along the black and white keys with perfect grace. The scene was a pleasant one, on top of the black piano was a lamp, under the man’s feet was a Persian rug. The cottage house was quite, the keeper of the house; an old woman in her early sixties rocked in her chair with cat on her lap and knitting in her hands, she smiled at the sounds coming out of the piano.

The man had a dreamy look in his honey brown eyes; he had a touch of a smile on his face. He was a handsome man, with a dark melancholy face, high eyebrows, chiseled nose, and a mouth that endeared one to it; he was in his early thirties but he looked not older than twenty.

The music stopped abruptly, the man pulled out a cigarette and lit it, then began where he left off.

“That’s a nice tune dear, what is it?” The woman asked, her voice pure British English.

He sighed and said, “Oh just a jingle I made up.” He was clearly American.

“Well it’s still nice.”

The man glanced over at her with a smile, she was a silly old thing, but he didn’t mind her, she was after all his great aunt. He didn’t know her very well, only seen her once or twice at family gatherings, but he was a busy man so he paid little attention to old Aunt Jemina who knitted and talked in a high pitched voice and lived in the English country side of Dalwood.

Why had he left America? For the last twenty years of his life he had been working, first as an actor and now mostly as a director, he composed music, wrote plays and scripts, and was even working on a novel. The fact was he was tired. He was tired of the people, he was tired of the movies, he was tired of the paparazzi, he was just tired. One day in his office when every page of his novel was wrong, and all his actors idiots, he decided to leave. And leave he did, the next morning he bought a ticket to Dalwood, Devonshire England. He arrived on the door step of his aunt’s cottage with no warning and even less baggage. But she was happy to have him, and he soon bought more clothes. He had been in England for three days.




Saturday, October 27, 2012

The Man Himself

Actor, song writer, director, fame and money he has it all.  This is my main character in The PianoMan.
His name is Stephan Lewis.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Idea change

So...I kinda changed my idea for Nano.  Today I was thinking of a number of things, the movie "Holiday" among them, and a new plot invited itself into my head. 
My novel is going to be called, The PianoMan.  It seems like I've heard that title before, but it won't leave and the novel won't name itself anything else.    I have no character names, save Aunt Jemina who is a minor character, only characters.
The man: He's been acting since he was 10, now he's 30 and famous and tired.  He goes to visit his aunt in the English country side and meets a girl.
His nickname for her is Gypsy, and he knows she can be one the greatest actress if only she wanted to be. He also knows she can make him a lot of money.
She will agree to play in his newest movie, she will become famous. She will also be desperately unhappy. And although he doesn't know it yet, he is too.
Riches = Happiness. Not always.

And that's what my novel is about.

Friday, October 5, 2012

November is almost here

Now for those of you who don't know about the madness of Nanowrimo, or are not evolved in it would probably say to that title,


"No it's not! October just got here."

Well yes that's strictly true, technically there is 26 days till November 1st.

But for us Nanowrimo people, it's preparation time for the 31 days of noveling ahead of us.

http://nanowrimo.org/

Nanowrimo is a contest were you are challenged to write 50,000 words of a novel in 31 days. I first did this when I was 13 and loved it, I've done it every year since. Last year I won at 50848, and I hope to win again this year. Although I will probably be overseas at the time.

My novel this year is not planned out at all (but then again I never plan) and I'm kinda nervous.

It's working title is The Art of Tattoo because the main character is covered in tattoos, and they tell a story about her life. Her name is River, she's a fighter, she has dreadlocks.

The other day I came across this quote: Pain is stronger than life, stronger than death, love, loyalty, duty. ~Essad Bey And I think that's what River's life is like now.

In the nano land we have two types of writers, the planners and the pansters. The planners outline, do character sheets, and have a lot of the plot worked out. Pansters maybe have some plot maybe none, maybe have some characters maybe not. I am a panster. :D I go in with a couple of characters, a bit of a plot and I go from there. This year I hope I have more than I have right now, I just don't know how I'm going to get there. River and I will probably have some talks. ;)

Nanowrimo is amazing fun and if you're a writer looking to write a novel, check this out!



Abi

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Days like these

On days like these I love being a writer. I can feel the word writer pulsing through my veins. On days like these everything goes well.  Inspiration comes, characters behave, plots flow and I feel alive.   On a day like this I go back to the novels I've put on hold because of writer's block and I write them.

Ah I love days such as this.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Beautiful People August

This month I'm going to use another character from "King, Hunter and Outlaw".


Fox (This isn't the best picture of Fox and he never wears clothes like that, but it's the face that counts. ;)
Here is a how he is described in one chapter,
"Dashing good-looks with black hair and sparkling brown eyes that seemed to melt when he smiled" 

Fox is a card player, a thief and many other things, but deep at heart he's a good fellow. He's actually one of my favorite characters to write in "King, Hunter and Outlaw"

1. What's his favorite past time?
Probably playing and cheating at cards, when he was a noble he loved to hunt and ride horses.

2. What's his favorite weapon?
A double edged sword.

3. How is his family life?
At the moment horrible, his father gambled away all their wealth leaving four sons penniless. His older brother has some mental problems, his younger brother is rude and resentful and on top of that he's stuck with two assassins claiming to be his cousins.  Fox is a little sick of family at the moment, though he would give his life for one of his brothers.

4. Any nicknames?
Actually Fox is his nickname, his real name is Trent but because of the tricks he's been up to people started to call him "Fox".

5. Does he have any friends?
Not really, he's much to busy to spend time with people.  When he does have time he comes off as an arrogant jerk.

6. What's his favorite time of day?
Night, when the taverns are open.

7. How does he meet up with Gleam?
Playing cards of course! ;) He cheated and Gleam knew it, she got the cards back.

8. What's one thing he never leaves home without?
His brothers, even if he has to drag them out by their ears.

9. Does he like to read?
Nope.  Even when he lived in luxury he never had time for that.

10. What's his secret wish?
To have his land and property back again so he can live in peace.



Thursday, July 5, 2012

Beautiful People (July)


This is my first time doing Beautiful People!  So yeah I'm choosing to do Gleam my character from "King, Hunter and Outlaw".
1.What is your character's name?
She goes by Gleam, but that's not her real name.  Her real name is Asti.

2. Does she have any siblings?
Yes, she has one sister, but at this point neither have seen each other for many years.

3. Who is her best friend?
Djmas, right now she doesn't realize how much she leans and depends on him. But I would definitely say Djmas is her best friend.

4. What's her favorite time of day?
Sunset, right before bed. With the golden and red colors coming through the trees.

5. What's her favorite weapon?
Her bow, because her friend Zeryn taught her. But she can handle other weapons, a sword, staff and ax.

6. What color is her hair?
Brown just ordinary brown.

7. What color are her eyes?
Green almost a jade color.

8. What's one thing she never leaves home without?
Besides her bow? Her red scarf, it was given to her by dying comrade in Greatland.

9. Does she read?
Yes, as a one time noble she reads and writes well.

10. Any hobbies?
At one time she liked to garden, but now she doesn't have time for that.


There ya go! My first try. :D  It was kinda hard to come up with questions, but it was super fun.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

What I'm Writing (June)


One of the many things I'm working on this month is called "King, Hunter and Outlaw", so as I promised I'm going to tell y'all about it. For those of you who don't know me I am not a plotter. I get an idea and I just start writing it. So saying that I must confess I don't have a plot at this moment, I just have my characters. But I can introduce you to them.

Gleam: We don't know much about her, save that she fought in the Greatland wars and she has a loyal band of freemen. Gleam loves her people and country, when she came back from the war she saw the people mistreated and abused. After saving ran-away serf Will from prison on death she becomes an outlaw and vows to do something to help her people.

Will: He ran away from his master at the urgings of his mother, after being saved by Gleam and her gang Will begs them to help him find his brother Dan.


Fox: After being tricked into working with the rebels Fox is forced to murder the king, but all Fox wants is to be left alone. He meets Gleam in an inn and she catches him cheating at cards, and something about Gleam interests him.
Llew: This man is an outcast of society, people spit on him, people hate him. And he hates them too. Llew will do anything to be in a position of respect, and that does mean anything.


Canterbury: She is 19, she moves from her home to marry the King, even though he already has a wife. She wants to marry him because her father's throne was usurped, and her father is dying. She says that all she wants is her father to die in peace. But maybe she wants more than that.


There ya got! Those are the main characters

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Of Head coverings, Writing, Vegetarians and Life


Well I'll do things backward from the post title. =)

Life: Summer is on in full heat here in Louisiana! My siblings are enjoying not doing school and playing outside most of the day.  As for myself I don't really like the heat so I stay inside. ;) No actually the main reason I'm inside a lot is because I'm working on graduating from High School. Go me!   So far so good, with God's help I'll be done soon, the tentative time is 9 months.

Vegetarians: After much thought and contemplation, I have decided to become a Vegetarian. Why? Well because I just don't like eating meat. Its really quite a simple reason. ;)  Actually this information is sadly very late, I've been doing this for almost 2 months.  Its really hard in my family, you never know how much meat you eat until you don't eat it. If that makes sense. Anywho, at home I don't eat meat, but usually when I go out I end up eating some, just because there isn't enough salad! 

Writing: This month has been a crazy writing month! It started out slow, then I decided to do Camp Nanowrimo, which for those who don't know is like Nanowrimo were you write 50,000 words in a month.  I was having fun with that, working on my book, "King, Hunter and Outlaw" (which reminds me I should do a writing post) and then my writing world exploded.  Suddenly I found myself doing a short story contest, co-writing a book with a friend and beta-reading two books.  Needless to say my writing world is very crazy right now and I have a feeling I'll fail Camp Nano. :(    But there's always August too. ;)

Head coverings: I've never been a veil wearing type of girl, but after getting a whole bunch of scarves I found that they are actually quite useful in the hair.  If you fold them up and tie them in your hair not only do they look super cute but they also keep hair out of your face.  Officially I'm in love with them.
yes this is me. :D 



God Bless!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

*Jumping up and Down!*

So yes I am very pleased to say that I finished my novel The Princess and The Stable Boy today!
I didn't think that I would make it by the end of August, but I DID! I am so happy!!!!!!!
Final Word count:21,821 words. I am very pleased with it! Now its going to be edited.
And for September I'm going to finish Streets Lined with Gold.
Blessings,
Lizzy

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Its been awhile...

Since I did a tag so here is a fun one. Its a writing tag!

What do you write your stories on?
Usually on a Word Doc, but I keep a notebook on hand all the time.

What is your favorite kind of character?
One that I can relate to. Someone kind, but not afraid to go and kill some bad guys!

When you're asked what your story is about, what is your usual reaction?

Um...Don't you know your not supposed to ask a writer that? Either you will get to much information or none at all. Sorry. I freak out, unless its a writing friend who asks. Then I know just what to say.

What is your biggest writing pet peeve?
Writer's Block. I hate those things. I have fought many a battle with that foe.

What is the biggest turn-off for you when reading a book?
Bad language, or questionable scenes. And a boring story. If it doesn't interest me I stop.

Your favorite era in history?
WW2, no question about that!

How many words on average do you punch out in one sitting?
If I am really interested in it, 100 to 200.

Are you a fast typist?
I'm good.

What do you do for inspiration?
Anything! Music, read or just force myself to write something.

The truest writing quote you've ever heard
This one:
One ought only to write when one leaves a piece of one's own flesh in the inkpot, each time one dips one's pen. ~Leo Tolstoy

Or this one:
A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author. ~G.K. Chesterton

What's your favorite genre to write?
Fantasy or Historical Fiction.

Favorite font to write with?
Anything.

Least-favorite writing prompt you've ever recieved?
I can't answer this one. It brings back to many horrible memories. :P

What do you like better: Pens or Pencils?
PENS!!!



Blessings,
Lizzy


Friday, June 4, 2010

Characters

Lately I've been thinking about what my characters from Streets lined with Gold, and if my book where made into a movie here is who I would want them to be played by. This is helping me a lot because it helps me have more of picture of what they look like. I have only done three so far.





Gavriel:Keisha Castle-Hughes. She played Mary in The Nativity Story, I think she did a wonderful job. She also look a lot like Gavriel. But she is older than Gavriel would be.






Irin is the next in the Tao family, and she has an attitude problem. I have seen two movies with Abigail Breslin and she was amazing! I think she could play my bad-temped, hurt little girl perfectly. She would have to dye her hair and have contacts, but I can think of no one better.






Francesco Gasparini is an Italian boy Gavriel meets on the boat to America. He later saves her life. Fabrizio Bucci plays in three Italian movie that I have seen.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

AH!!

Yes, I know, I know, this time I promise I will announce winners, I just have to make it a little longer. June 1st. I really am sorry, its just we may have to leave, any day!
Also I would like to post about something I am going to try and do.
Check this out! Cool huh, a writing challenge!!!! Please join if you like to write!
Blessings,
Lizzy

Saturday, April 10, 2010

How?

How does one really put their thoughts to words? I know I can write, I and I do a fine job at it. But sometimes I am amazed at what I cannot do! I doubt there is a cure for this failing. When my heart aches, with joy or sadness, I just can't get it onto paper in the right way. I write something and it just isn't right.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Streets lined with Gold

Here is a preview of my short story and a synopsis ,(which I am NOT very good at) lol. An as a side note this is turning into a novel. Soooo, I'm only going to post the first chapter! HA HA *evil laugh* lol

Streets lined with Gold
Gavriel is a young Romanian who has made the journey to America. There it is said that the streets are lined with gold. America is the new promise land. But problems arise when they arrive. The poverty is amazing to her, and the condition that many children are forced to live in goes to her heart. Gavriel's father loses his job, and her mother must find work. And on top of that her sister is losing their faith. Gavriel struggles to keep her beloved family together, while learning that her faith will be her rock. Will everything turn out well? Will Gavriel see her hearts desire.

***
The boat slowly grew closer and closer till they were in the port. The rest of her siblings had long gone back to the cabin, but Gavriel wanted to see America. She remembered her father telling her.
“Gavi, there in America there is work for all. They say the streets are lined with gold.”
There was hundreds of people in the port, she scanned the faces for ones she might paint. Gavriel loved to paint. But there was one faces that she most wanted to see. The face of her beloved papa.
Tears welled up in her eyes when she did not see him. Then she gasped, a dark strong faces, so familiar to her, made her heart beat faster. It was her father.
***
And here is another bit.

Then something made Gavriel stare. It was a statue, a big beautiful statue of a woman. Holding a torch in one hand and a tablet in another, with a crown of light on her head.
“Do you like her?” A voice asked behind her. Gavriel turned to see a boy about eighteen, with dark hair, olive skin and impish eyes.
“Da*…I mean yes.” She faltered. The boy grinned, “So do I.”
“Who is she?” Gavriel asked him.
“Lady Liberty,” the boy said proudly, “The statue of liberty.”
“She’s beautiful.” Gavriel whispered.
The boy looked at her intently then said, “My name is Francesco, what is yours?”
“Gavriel, Gavriel Tao.” She said with a slight smile.
“Gavriel” He said her name slowly, as though he was trying to remember it. “Well Gavriel, good luck to you.” With these words the boy named Francesco turned and walked down the gangplank, leaving Gavi looking after him.


*Yes